15 Tampon Horror Stories That Will Seriously Freak You Out

Sigh… it's the time of the month. Again. Cramps, headaches, and the need to ask your best girlfriend, "Uh… do you have a tampon?"

To make you feel a little bit better about your period, here's a list of tampon horror stories. Because trust us, there are a lot of ways wearing a tampon can go wrong: from the occasional lost and forgotten tampon, to ones that were used weapons, to crazy toxic shock syndrome tales that make it seem as tampons were created to destroy us from the inside out. These horrors have happened to numerous women, even famous pop-stars and models. In an a surprising twist, some have happened to people who aren't women (like members of boy bands and unlucky little brothers). But hey, at least they haven't happened to you, right?

The first tampons (as we think of them now) were created in the 18th century. But there's evidence that Egyptian women used papyrus ebers during their monthly visits from Aunt Flow in ancient times. Though some of these horror stories probably wouldn't happen to Cleopatra (like being known as "The Girl That Ate Her Tampon") chances are periods were just as annoying then as they are now.

If you're a girl, chances are you've experienced some of these moments. This list might make you cringe in disgust, cry with empathy, or laugh in camaraderie. We've all been there. And if you haven't personally experienced all of these moments, don't worry, chances are you will. Well, we hope not, for your sake.

1

Surprise Box Of Moldy Tampons

After opening a tampon out of a recently purchased box of Kotex, Danielle Parr was horrified to find the feminine hygiene product was moldy. Yes, moldy! What's worse is that when she wrote to Kotex to let them know of their moldy product they responded that they "have found themold to be a common environmental species that carries no health risk."

That'll teach her (and you) to lose track of your tampon! A student in the UK was diagnosed with sepsis due to Toxic Shock Syndrome after she forgot about a tampon and accidentally left it in for nine days. Initially, 20-year-old Emily Pankhurst thought exam stress was causing her bloating and and weakness, but when she started slurring her words and her skin became blotchy, she knew something serious was wrong. Luckily doctors were able to save her live with strong antibiotics, although the illness left her too weak to walk long distances.

Are you freaked out?

3

Girl Eats Tampon

All of the internet was disgusted when Giovanna Plowman decided to film herself eating her tampon. That's right, folks, ate her tampon! She has since confessed her embarrassment and remorse for being known as the "girl that ate her tampon," claiming it was something she did for attention.

It's hard enough to have to surf the crimson tide, but it's even worse when you're at school and you leak through your clothes. But a girl's day was made even worse when her male teacher said, "miss you need to go change your pad" because she had bled through her tampon and on to her pants.